Oman Air Racing Team star Ahmad Al Harthy will achieve another long-held dream this coming weekend, 9th/10th July, when he makes his race debut in the FIA Formula One World Championship supporting Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.

Taking full advantage of the summer break in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship calendar, the 29-year-old from Muscat will compete as part of a Formula One weekend for the first time in his career and simply can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere of the British Grand Prix.

Porsche Mobil1 Supercup is the most prestigious of all of the German manufacturer’s one-make championships and has been a regular part of the F1 support package since 1993. Next weekend’s fifth round of the season will be contested over 14 laps of the Northamptonshire track.

“Supercup is the biggest of the Porsche championships so this really is a major step for me, I can’t wait to get out there”, said Ahmad, “Being part of a Formula One weekend is going to be absolutely amazing, the icing on the cake, and the racing will be a whole new level.

“It’s going to be a huge event for the Oman Air Racing Team and all of my sponsors – Oman Air, Nawras, National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs and Oman Ministry of Tourism. This will be a very big challenge, extremely tough, but we’re ready and focused on learning as much as possible.”

This year has been a season of glorious firsts for Ahmad so far with his maiden Pro-Am 1 victory in Porsche Carrera Cup GB, a debut appearance at the awesome Nürburgring-Nordschleife just over a week ago during the inaugural Porsche Carrera World Cup and now his maiden race in Supercup.

“It’s been an incredible year so far”, he added, “We’ve achieved so much already in 2011 and none of it would have been possible without the incredible support I’ve had from everyone in Oman. To represent my country in the Supercup is a dream come true – it will be a very proud moment.”

Oman Air’s Chief Officer Corporate Affairs, Philippe Georgiou, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to support Ahmad in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. Being part of a Grand Prix weekend is a huge opportunity for the Oman Air Racing Team and a great platform from which to promote Oman Air’s world class service at a world class event.”

Porsche Mobil1 Supercup qualifying will take place at 11.25 on Saturday, 9th July, with the race set to get underway at 10.45 on Sunday, 10th July. Live coverage of the race will be screened across Europe and other territories via digital satellite and cable broadcaster Eurosport – please check listings for more details and regional variations.

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